Wigan and Ferero Winning Big at 2011 CDI-W Melbourne

Thu, 06/23/2011 - 11:27
2011 CDI-W Melbourne

Chantal Wigan and her Dutch warmblood gelding Ferero (by Ferro) were the winners of the Grand Prix and World Cup qualifying freestyle at the 2011 CDI-W Melbourne. Wigan travelled 2000km hours to Werribee, Australia, with her Ferero to compete in the CDI-W held at Melbourne Three-Day Event.

“He is getting very used to the pacific highway,” laughed Chantal, “but I think it is really important to get to these events, both to prepare my horse for London and the World Cup Final and also to support the event.”

It was a worthwhile journey as the pair won the CDI-W Grand Prix (with 65.362%) and Freestyle (68.925%). “I am thrilled with the performance,” said Chantal “we have won three consecutive CDI-Ws this year so I am very happy.”

In March of this year Chantal and Ferero won the CDI-W at Boneo Park and at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars.
Chantal’s best score in a CDI-W Freestyle this year was 71.225% at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars in March, so this weekend’s score was a little shy of that.

“This test was not as good, he was a rushing a little bit more,” explained Chantal.

It was the night after the cross-country and the eventers were letting their hair down after a big day and the arena is very close to the bar in that indoor so it was quite a noisy environment which made it harder for the horses,” she said.

I really liked the event, it is great having dual discipline competitions and I hope they keep holding the Dressage there,” added Chantal.
It gets more people there so it is great for the spectators and the trade stands and it is interesting for the riders from each discipline to see each other compete. I watched the cross-country from the tent by the water jump that had no water in it was pretty scary mostly but it was really fun. I enjoyed it. I hope they continue to hold a CDI-W at the event,” she said.

Chantal has big plans for 2012. She and Ferero will to head to Europe next February to hopefully represent Australia at the 2012 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final at ' s-Hertogenbosch (NED) and to campaign towards selection for the London Olympic Games. Chantal will base herself at Academy Bartels in the Netherlands, where she trained before returning to Australia last October.

Between now and then the pair will be competing at the Australian National Championships in October, Equitana in November and finally the World Cup Final (Pacific League) in December – an event they won in 2010.

This was the third of five Equestrian Grand Final Dressage qualifiers, remaining qualifing events are the NSW State Championships (Tamworth NSW) on 08-11 Sept and the Qld State Dressage Championships (Gatton, Qld) on 07-09 Oct. The 12 combinations with the highest percentages achieved at any of the qualifying events gain automatic entry to the Equestrian Grand Final to be held at EQUITANA, Sydney Nov 10-13.  A further 3 wild card entries will be awarded by Equestrian Australia.

“I am really looking forward to Equitana, it is something that we have to do for the sport and everyone should be supporting it. The crowd there is great and there is a fabulous atmosphere with similar to what we see overseas. We need to have our horses exposed to that.”

“Heath was right behind me all the way this weekend which was great but I am looking forward to the Nationals in Sydney and Equitana when all the riders are there,” said Chantal.

Photo © Derek O'Leary - Courtesy EFA

Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI-W Melbourne
Pacific League Winner Chantal Wigan Not to Travel to 2011 World Cup Finals
Chantal Wigan Hits Top Form for the 2011 Sydney CDI